Don Schumacher’s Mopar-bodied fuel FC team continued their mastery of NHRA racing with a fourth consecutive event all DSR team final round.

California’s Ron Capps picked up his second consecutive victory and third of the season with a 3.954 at 316.90 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T by defeating Jack Beckman’s 7.894 at 85.05 in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T in the final round. Capps, who tallied his 48th career win, took the points lead with the victory.

The NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T led by masterful crew chief Rahn Tobler and his assistant Eric Lane had everything calculated to perfection, and with the NAPA Know How crew directed Ron Capps to his second NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title in six days.

The NAPA squad also helped Capps get the No. 1 qualifying spot for Sunday’s eliminations marking the first time he has ever been on the pole in back-to-back races.

And one more thing, Capps is the new points leader in the Funny Car category after defeating Don Schumacher Racing teammate Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Dodge funded by Terry Chandler.

“It’s great. It’s something you hope will happen at the end of the day,” Capps said. “Rahn Tobler’s given me such a fun car to race. I almost felt embarrassed driving this car today because it’s so good. You just don’t want to mess up when it’s that good; it’s yours to lose.

“Other guys are struggling to get down the track and our car’s going .95 and .96. It wasn’t just that we didn’t struggle, we did. We just worked so good together today, a lot of communication.”

“To dream about being a racecar driver when you grow up – which is a big enough thing to dream about – but to be one and have a racecar like this is something you really dream about. I’m just trying to ride the wave and enjoy it.

(Jack Beckman was R/UP)

“It won’t go forever, but at least we’re having fun right now.”

En route to his win, Capps defeated John Hale, 16-time world campion John Force and defending world champion Del Worsham. Beckman was tasked with getting past Las Vegas winner Alexis DeJoria, Atlanta and Topeka winner Matt Hagan and Jeff Diehl to get to the finals.

(Matt Hagan (far lane) roared his Mopar to top speed of the event at 326.21 mph)

Event Essentials:   NHRA Summer Nationals (June 10-12th 2016) 

Jeff Diehl had his best finish ever in NHRA racing – going to the FC “Final Four”)

(The new generation 2016 Camaro bodied cars of JFR face off in qualifying)

Posted with files by: Jeff Wolf & NHRA Communications
Photos by Steve Embling and Phil Hutchison